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OPERATION CATNIP: Idealism in Action

Spay Preparation

Staffing:	1 - 2	Shavers
	1 - 2	Scrubbers

ALL STAFF MUST CHECK IN AT THE VOLUNTEER TABLE.

GLOVES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES.

ALWAYS VISUALLY VERIFY GENDER!

Check for a vulva or penis.

You will be shown the difference before starting at your station.

Do NOT rely on palpation (touch) to determine gender.

* Neutered males and cryptorchid will not have visible testicles. *

The Spay Preparation Station is responsible for verifying the gender of each cat; clipping the incision site and cleansing the incision site.

Clipping Instructions

The Spay Prep Shavers are responsible for shaving the incision sites on female cats and cryptorchid males and verify the sex of each cat.

1) VERIFY the sex of each cat VISUALLY. Do NOT rely on palpation (touch) to determine gender. CHECK FOR A VULVA OR PENIS. You will be shown the difference before starting at your station. Remember, neutered and cryptorchid males will not have or display testicles. Males and spayed females should be brought to the attention of the Clinic Supervisor. NEVER ASSUME ANY CAT BROUGHT TO SPAY PREPARATION IS A FEMALE.

2) MONITOR the cats carefully: respiration (>6/minute), heartbeat (>100/minute), and gum color (pink). If the cat is not breathing well or its gums are blue, pull firmly on the tongue, press a fingernail on the nose leather and NOTIFY THE CLINIC SUPERVISOR immediately. If a cat is not fully anesthetized, call the Clinic Supervisor to administer gas.

3) DETERMINE whether females will receive a midline or flank spay.

Ø Flank spays are performed on cats that are lactating and not pregnant. With the cat on her right side, shave a 4” by 4” square on the left flank with the hip joint as the upper right corner.

Ø Midline spays are performed on pregnant or non-lactating cats. With the cat on her back, shave the abdomen to expose both rows of nipples, from the umbilical scar to one inch past the last nipples. If another scar is exposed, contact the Clinic Supervisor to verify if the cat is spayed already.

Ø Cryptorchid males are prepared as in a midline spay but extend the shaved area to include the scrotum.

4) SHAVE against the growth of the hair using a few broad strokes. Run the clipper blades parallel—not perpendicular—to the torso. (The clipper itself will be perpendicular to the cat’s body, but the blades will be parallel.) If held at a right angle to the skin, the clipper blades will not shave as closely and the nipples may be nicked.

5) CLEAN the clippers after every few cats. Use the coolant spray and toothbrush.

Spay Prep

Scrubber Instructions

The Spay Preparation Scrubbers are responsible for cleansing the incision site on female cats and cryptorchid males and verify the sex of each cat. Cleansing is a two part process: The are is cleansed with (1) friction and (2) disinfectant.

3) SCRUB with gentle pressure using the Betadine scrub (which has soap in it). Start with a clean scrub gauze in the center of the prep area, circling toward the outer edge as you scrub. Do not touch the central scrubbed area once you have touched the fur. Avoid getting any scrub in the unclipped fur.

4) REMOVE the scrub with an alcohol gauze, using the same circling pattern.

5) REPEAT the procedure 2 more times. Try to minimize the amount of both scrub and alcohol on the fur.

6) SPRAY the bare skin with a small amount of Betadine solution (without soap), avoiding the fur. Never let your fingers (even gloved) or anything besides the alcohol or Betadine gauze sponges touch the prepped area.

7) ADVISE the Spay Transporter if the cat is a cryptorchid male, contagious, or has other concerns. Put cat on spay shelf.

8) CLEAN-UP sweep/vacuum your area; wash tables; bag all trash and take to the dumpster; mop the area until no cat odor remains.

9) Remove any traces of Betadine on the floor.

10) REPACK the station kit, inventory supplies (see Supply List in the kit) at the end of the clinic. Return the kit and any extra items to the Supply Coordinator.